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Mumbai win to stay afloat
KXIP’s success due to smart buying: Bailey
SAI reshuffle: 176 coaches transferred
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HI to honour late World Cup winning trio too
IPL final shift: GC to decide on MCA letter
Manipur women win football Nationals
Need to bring consistency to my game: Sindhu
Akhil, Nanao boost their chances
Cole left out of England squad, quits internationals
Injured Nishikori pulls out of Rome, Federer arrives
Kaymer wins Players by one
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Mumbai win to stay afloat
Hyderabad, May 12 Opener Simmons (68) and Rayudu (68) frustrated Hyderabad bowlers for 14.3 overs during which they shared a stand of 130 runs for the second wicket as Mumbai chased down the target of 158 with eight balls to spare at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal. With today's win, their third from nine matches, Mumbai, jumped to the sixth spot with six points while Hyderabad remained on fifth position with eight points from nine matches. Mumbai though did not have a good start in their run chase as they lost opener Chidhambaram Gautam (1) in the second over off pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar but Simmons and Rayudu steadied the innings and then set up an easy win for MI. They batted slowly for a while before Simmons took 16 runs off Irfan Pathan in the fifth over with two sixes and a four. Pathan was unfortunate as he was picked up by Rayudu too for a special treatment later on and the pacer conceded 29 runs from his two overs. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra was also expensive as he conceded 33 runs from his three wicketless overs to add to the woes of Hyderabad who were playing their first match at home in IPL-7. Rayudu, who hit seven fours and two sixes off 46 balls, and Simmons, whose 50-ball knock included five fours and four sixes, batted sensibly, and kept the asking rate under control. From 32 for one at the end of the fifth over, Mumbai raced to 125 for one at the end of the 15th over, with the asking rate down below seven an over. The duo, however, were out in quick succession — in the 16th and 17th overs off Bhuvneshwar (2/21) and Moises Henriques (1/23), respectively — as Mumbai faced some jittery moments towards the end before skipper Rohit Sharma (14 not out) and Kieron Pollard (6 not out) took their side home. Rohit hit the winning runs as Mumbai reached 160 for three in 18.2 overs to notch up a much-needed win. — PTI Today’s match RR vs CSK (4pm) DD vs RCB (8pm) Live on Sony Six Scoreboard Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mumbai Indians:
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KXIP’s success due to smart buying: Bailey
New Delhi, May 12 But in the ongoing edition, KXIP are sitting pretty on the top of the table and look set to make it to the qualifiers with seven wins from nine games. KXIP went for a major overhaul at the players' auction and managed to get the likes Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey, Virender Sehwag, while retaining South African David Miller and Punjab opener Manan Vohra. Their overseas batsmen and domestic bowlers have fired in unison and captain Bailey believes it was “smart buying” at the auction, which changed the fortunes of perennial under-achievers. “Well, we attribute our success to some smart buying at the auction. We really got some outstanding players and it was clever thinking on our part. We got Maxwell, Sehwag, Pujara. Sanjay (Bangar) had a good knowledge of domestic players, so it also made the difference,” Bailey told The Tribune. Bailey reserved his special praise for young Patiala-lad Sandeep Sharma, who has chipped in with 13 wickets, scalping the wickets of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli twice each. “He has been exceptional with the new ball. It's really important to get wickets upfront. Sandy (Sandeep) has provided us those important breakthroughs at the top. He has been outstanding for us this season,” said the Australian T20 skipper.
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SAI reshuffle: 176 coaches transferred
New Delhi, May 12 The SAI undertook this massive drive to address the situation wherein there were coaches but no athletes and vice versa. “We have transferred a total of 176 coaches from 10 centres in the last few days. This is the biggest-ever reshuffling drive of the coaches in nine years since 2005. We had coaches at certain centres where there wasn’t a single trainee of the discipline the coach specialised in. For instance, there was football coach at one centre, but no trainees. Similarly, there were cycling trainees, but they didn’t have a coach. We have tried to strike the right balance by undertaking this exercise,” a senior SAI official told The Tribune. Football tops the list with 21 transfers, followed by volleyball and hockey (15 each). Other sports to figure in the list include weightlifting, badminton, gymnastics, wrestling, tennis and table tennis. The official informed that the SAI appointed 174 coaches in 16 disciplines in February this year — the biggest recruitment in the last 20 years. “However, even after those appointments, we felt it wasn't enough. There was still a shortage of coaching staff at our various centres. We recruited athletes for training programmes at our centres, but later found out that there were no coaches at those centres,” he said. The SAI currently employs 1,154 coaches for close to 11,000 athletes. However a study, conducted by the organisation itself, revealed that it was still short of at least 1,000 coaches across all disciplines. “We had hired specialised coaches on contracts at some of our centres to make up for the shortage. But at some other centres, our regular coaching staff didn’t have any trainees to train and were drawing salaries for doing nothing. It was a situation where we were incurring double financial loss. So we decided to send our regular coaching staff to such places and limit the number of contractual coaching staff,” he said. Giving the details about the reshuffling drive, the SAI official said: “There were some mutual transfers where two coaches agreed to swap places for personal reasons. Then there were coaches with strong academic background, so we sent them to our Patiala, Kolkata and Bangalore centres which offer coaching certificate courses. Some coaches had medical problems, so we transferred them to our administrative department in regional centres,” he said. For the SAI, it wasn’t easy to execute the decision as it faced a strong resistance from some coaches who did not want to leave their comfort zones. In 2005, when the SAI had ordered the transfers of 746 coaches, the entire exercise turned out to be a farce as the coaches managed to get a stay order from the court. “We got requests from some of them not to issue their transfer orders. We accepted only those requests which we found were genuine. Some tried pressure tactics, too, but we did not stop their orders. There’s no going back on our decision,” he said.
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HI to honour late World Cup winning trio too
Chandigarh, May 12 Originally, Hockey India had announced that it would honour only the 13 living members of the team, and award them Rs 1.75 lakh each. Hockey India's decision came after The Tribune raised the issue, arguing that the deceased members of the team must be honoured too, as also the coaches and the support staff. Hockey India today disclosed that it would honour the late Surjit Singh, Shivaji Pawar and Mohinder Singh too at a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday. Hockey India has invited the families of the three deceased players to the ceremony.
“The families of the late players will be here, though I admit there was a small mistake on our part. We could have extended the invitation earlier,” HI secretary general Narinder Batra said today. “The good thing is that we have not left it for too late and managed to set things right before time. Another thing I want to say is that we did not miss out on their names deliberately.” Surjit's wife Chanchal Randhawa will be honoured on Wednesday, as also Shivaji Pawar's wife Sheela, while Mohinder Singh's brother Satpal would represent his family. “A mistake was made and I am glad it has been rectified,” Ajit Pal Singh, the captain of the team that won India's only World Cup in hockey, said. “We should not make a big deal about it. I don't see any scope of a controversy here.” However, Hockey India decided to ignore the legendary chief coach of the team, Balbir Singh, and his deputy, Gurcharan Singh Bodhi, and the support staff. “Hockey India should give equal respect to all the members of the winning squad and the support staff,” Dr. Rajender Kalra, the doctor of the World Cup-winning team, said. “It is rather disheartening that only 13 members were being honoured. The win was brought about by everyone, and every player and member of support staff should be given the respect.” Correction The 1975 Hockey World Cup final was played on May 15, not May 14 as a report in The Tribune said on Monday. The error is regretted.
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IPL final shift: GC to decide on MCA letter
Mumbai, May 12 “We had a managing committee meeting today and the members were apprised of the media release put out by the BCCI about the shifting of the final to Bangalore. Meanwhile we are also in communication with BCCI and the Governing Council of IPL on the issue,” said Ravi Savant, vice-president of MCA who chaired today's managing committee meeting. “Sunil Gavaskar (interim president of BCCI on IPL matters) has told us that they will discuss the letter and come back to us with their ruling tomorrow. We are hopeful it will be in favour of MCA,” he added. MCA got a jolt last Saturday when the IPL Governing Council decided to shift the final of the high-profile event on June 1 from here to the Chinnaswamy Stadium without assigning any specific reason for making the drastic change. “Considering that 20 matches of the ongoing IPL season were played overseas, the GC took a decision to try and take the playoffs to as many different stadia as possible. Several venues had expressed their interest in hosting the playoffs,” BCCI had said when announcing the revised knock-out schedule. MCA president Sharad Pawar had shot off the protest letter to the IPL Governing Council and all BCCI members, demanding the real reason behind shifting the June 1 final to Bangalore. Gavaskar says club cricket is best form of cricket Bhubaneswar: Describing club cricket as the best form of cricket, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Monday said it teaches players the way to carry weaker member of a team. “Club cricket is the best form of cricket. It teaches one to be friends with your rivals even as you compete hard with them on the ground,” Gavaskar said at a function organised by a local cricket club to felicitate him. Stating that one's performance in club cricket gets the attention of the Ranji Trophy selectors, Gavaskar said: “From Ranji, you go on to play Duleep Trophy and then international cricket.” In a message to the budding cricketers, Gavaskar said: “You must aim to achieve what your predecessors have failed to achieve.”—PTI
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Manipur women win football Nationals
Golaghat (Assam), May 12 Bala Devi struck twice, in the third and 55th minute, while AIFF Women's Player of the Year Oinam Bembem Devi scored in the 20th minute of the lopsided summit clash. Orissa reduced the margin in the dying minutes (90+1) courtesy substitute Sakina Nesa’s close-range strike but it was too little too late for the defending champions. “It was a good win. I am really happy to end a good campaign on a high but more importantly I would like to point out that the future stars who played in Orissa colours today have a lot of potential,” Bembem said. Manipur took the game by the scruff of its neck from the word go. Manipur, full of national team players in their ranks, were far superior. The Orissa girls, made up mostly of Under-19 players, found life difficult against their more fancied opponents. It took Manipur just three minutes to take the lead. Orissa goalkeeper Sita Sharma failed to judge the flight of Bembem Devi’s cross from the right as Bala pounced on the loose ball to head home from close range. Manipur doubled their lead without much fuss. A low cross by winger Mandakini Devi saw Bembem stab the ball home. The second half started as the first with Manipur all over their opponents, raiding the Orissa citadel without mercy. Mandakini set up Bala inside the area leaving the 23-year old with the easiest of tap-ins to notch up her brace and 32nd goal of the tournament. Bala was later adjudged Player of the Tournament. Orissa though showed great character and their doggedness paid dividends in the injury time. Sakina slammed home Subha Prava Rout’s through-ball. “Manipur had the measure of the game from the start. These girls are too experienced to falter. It was a nice experience for the youngsters, I’m sure. It was good to see the Orissa girls fighting till the last minute. They could score one and could have added another in added time. This goes to show their spirit. It was always going to be difficult against Manipur. But they were brave and the shoulders never drooped, that’s important,” national team head coach Anadi Barua said. — PTI
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Need to bring consistency to my game: Sindhu
New delhi, May 12 “I am playing at my best but this is only the beginning for me. I have to be very consistent in every tournament. I am practising harder and working on my mistakes too,” said Sindhu. Sindhu, who won the Asian Championship bronze last month in Korea, is focused on giving her best shot at the biennial event. “I hope to give my 100 per cent. The draw is good. There will be crowd support and I hope it works positively for me. The whole team will get confidence from that and give its best,” she said. The Hyderabadi shuttler reckoned Thailand will be a tricky opponent for India. The hosts have been drawn along with Thailand, Hong Kong and Canada in Group C of the World Women's Team Championship. Each Uber Cup tie consists of three singles and two doubles matches. “Thailand will be a tricky opponent. Reigning world champion Ratchanok Intanon will be playing the first singles against Saina Nehwal. I will face Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in the second singles. Porntip is playing really well. I have not played her for the past few months but she will give a tough competition,” Sindhu said. Sindhu boasts of a 2-1 record against World No. 9 Porntip, but the Thai girl won their last encounter in 2013 in the Korea Open Super Series Premier. The 18-year-old agreed that the singles are going to be India's strength. “Singles is going to be our strength. Saina is playing well, and so am I. It will be great for the team if we win the first two singles. We are not lacking anywhere and have good chances. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa are also good in doubles.” The World No.11 said the team is also banking on crowd support with the tournament being hosted in India for the first time.
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Akhil, Nanao boost their chances
Patiala, May 12 The selection trials at NIS, Patiala also saw Harpal Singh defeat Sandeep (75kg), Abhishek Beniwal beat Rahul (81 kg) and Narinder defeat Nitesh (91 kg) in the other bouts on the last day. Though the final list will be declared in the coming days, sources informed that almost all the prominent boxers are likely to be included in the list. The selectors have to pick four boxers from every weight category. “The trials were held as per new rules and regulations and provided a proper competition feel. Such competitions provide great exposure because you are always under pressure of performing well like in any international tournament. It is not only beneficial for the boxers but also for the referees, coaches and judges as it helps in getting acquainted to new rules,” Akhil said.
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Cole left out of England squad, quits internationals
London, May 12 Cole, 33, who won 107 caps, was told by Roy Hodgson he will not be included in his provisional 23-man squad or among the standby players to be named on Monday, with the England manager saying it was one of the hardest decisions of his career. “Got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players,” Cole tweeted on Sunday. “I think it best I retire from England team now. “We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything.” — Reuters
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Injured Nishikori pulls out of Rome, Federer arrives
Rome, May 12 But Roger Federer landed on a flight from Zurich as the new father of twins born last Tuesday decided to play in the Masters event which he has never won. “Oh and btw ciao tutti, I just arrived in bella Italia! Looking forward to Rome,” the Swiss tweeted after a mid-day arrival in the Italian capital. Federer had a practice court booked and was expected to begin preparations for a second-round match against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, while Madrid champion Nadal also arrived to prepare his bid for an eighth title at the Foro Italico. Notable first-round action included women’s 11th seed Ana Ivanovic beginning with a 6-1 6-1 rout of unseeded Italian Karin Knapp. — Agencies
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Ponte Vedra Beach (Florida), May 12 Kaymer held a one-stroke lead at the TPC Sawgrass when his tee shot on 17 narrowly cleared the water, bounced off a mound and span sideways hard until settling just a couple of feet short of the water on the fringe of the green. From there, Kaymer, looking for first victory since the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa at the end of 2012, hit a poor chip and was left with a 28-foot putt which had to negotiate a ridge with a sharp left-to-right break. Somehow he managed to coax the ball into the cup in fading light before going on to par the final hole and clinch victory by one shot over American Jim Furyk in the $10 million PGA Tour event. “What a putt on 17,” Kaymer said with a broad grin after closing with a one-under-par 71 for a 13-under total of 275. “It was very, very tough to read because it was already very dark. But I don’t care anymore, it went in. It was downhill, down-grain, but at the end of the day, you just trust your instinct.” — Reuters
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Hyderabad, May 12
Golaghat (Assam), May 12
